PICKERING Town won their fourth successive Northern Counties East League premier division game by beating plucky ten-man Harrogate Railway 2-0.

Skipper James Drinkall fired the Pikes in front midway through the second half but Steve Brown's men had to wait until the last minute to secure the points with a goal from substitute Liam Gildea.

Railway were reduced to ten men after just 15 minutes when centre-back Michael Ord was red-carded for tripping ex-York City striker Mark Wood 20 yards out when he was the last line of defence.

A frustrated Ord was then ordered to leave the visitors' dugout and squirted the referee with a water bottle before swearing at young supporters on his way to the changing-room.

Just three minutes earlier, Railway had gone close to opening the scoring when Ryan Haigh sidefooted narrowly wide.

But Joe Connor brushed the top of the netting at the other end from the free-kick that followed Ord's dismissal.

Harrogate defended heroically from then on and, despite their numerical disadvantage, decided to play three at the back with Nigel Danby, who has just returned to Station View from Goole Town, outstanding as his side's sole centre-back.

Goalkeeper Ed Neale was also in inspired form, pulling off three outstanding saves to deny Drinkall, Wood and Danny Brunton to keep Railway on level terms at the break.

Drinkall broke the deadlock on 66 minutes when he charged in at the far post to crash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net after Wood's low cross from the right.

Railway sub Chris Howarth's 25-yard drive whistled just over six minutes later before fit-again home midfielder Alex Willgrass missed the target with a series of wayward long-range efforts.

Gildea fired straight at Neale from eight yards on 86 minutes but made amends moments later when he intercepted a tired back pass by Nick Harrison, rounded the Railway goalkeeper and, after struggling to keep his footing, tapped into an empty net.

Railway's new management team of Martin Haresign and Ian Blackstone both missed the match because of previously-arranged engagements but their players' performance suggested an improved league position is within their grasp.

PICKERING TOWN: Kevin Martin, Peter Vasey, Danny Brunton, Rob Eeles, Danny Farthing, Gavin Dickenson, James Drinkall, Matthew Morton (John Ellwood,76), Ricky Greening, Mark Wood (Liam Gildea, 76), Joe Connor (Alex Willgrass, 53).

HARROGATE RAILWAY: Ed Neale, Damien Holmes, Nick Harrison, Liam Gray, Michael Ord, Nigel Danby, Damien Place (Chris Howarth, 66), Shaun Constable, James Featherstone, Stephen Davey, Ryan Haigh (Mark Delaney, 83).

Harrogate Town are just one point behind Unibond League premier division leaders Alfreton Town after Glenn Naylor's last-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory over Frickley Athletic.

The visitors had taken a seventh-minute lead when Lee Morris netted despite strong suspicions of offside and Harrogate's James Turley then had a penalty appeal turned down.

Naylor, like Turley a former York City striker, also hit an upright and new loan signing Craig Mitchell went on to miss two chances after joining for a month from Mansfield Town, where he has made 17 first-team appearances.

Mitchell could even have faced the Minstermen on Saturday at Field Mill but Mansfield were refused a recall from his loan spell after suffering injuries in attack because it is against FA rules.

A great through ball by former Premiership star Mark Atkins released winger Colin Hunter for Town's equaliser on 70 minutes.

He fired past former York City goalkeeper Mark Samways, who was beaten again by the veteran Naylor after Hunter's corner was directed back across goal by Simon Sturdy.

Tadcaster Albion are now two points adrift at the foot of the Northern Counties East League division one table after a 2-1 defeat at Carlton Town.

Nearest rivals Winterton Rangers earned a 0-0 draw at leaders Long Eaton United. Tad, who have lost all three of their home games this season and scored just one goal at Ings Lane, now play host to second-placed team Sutton Town on Saturday.

Updated: 15:39 Monday, October 13, 2003